232 SUCCESS WITH SMALL FRUITS. 



for an acre. Summer pinching back will transform these 

 sprawling, drooping canes into compact, stocky bushes, or 

 ornamental shrubs that in sheltered locations will be self- 

 supporting. Clean culture, and, as the plantation grows 

 older, higher stimulation, greatly enhance success. After 

 the plants begin to show signs of age and feebleness, it is 

 best to set out young plants on new ground. 



The varieties of this species are almost innumerable, since 

 seedhngs come up by the million every year ; but the dif- 

 ferences between the majority of them are usually very 

 slight. There are four kinds, however, that have won hon- 

 orable distinction and just popularity. The earliest of these 

 is Davidson's Thornless, said to have originated in the 

 garden of Mrs. Mercy Davidson, Towanda, Erie Co., N. Y. 

 It is nothing hke so vigorous a grower as the other three 

 varieties ; but the sweetness of the fruit and the freedom 

 from thorns make it desirable for the home garden. Unless 

 high culture or moist soil is given, I do not recommend it 

 for market. 



Next in order of ripening is the Doolittle, or American 

 Improved, found growing wild, about thirty-five years since, 

 by Leander Joslyn, of Phelps, Ontario Co., N. Y., and in- 

 troduced by Mr. H. H. Doolitde. This, hitherto, has been 

 the most popular of all the species, and thousands of bushels 

 are annually raised for market. The plant is exceedingly 

 vigorous, producing strong, branching canes that literally 

 cover themselves with fruit. I have seen long rows fairly 

 black with caps. Perhaps it should be stated that the 

 thorns are vigorous also. 



Latest in ripening is the Mammoth Cluster, or McCor- 

 mick, which, thus far, has been my favorite. It is even 

 more vigorous than the preceding, but not so briery or 

 branching. The fruit is produced usually in a thick cluster 



